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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, courses.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Imperial College London at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Imperial College London both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £19,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and Birkbeck, University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £27,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £53,500 from Imperial College London. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 5 and Imperial College London in 1.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#354
QS World
#2
#301
THE World
#8
—
Guardian UK
#5
1823
Established
1907
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Birkbeck, University of London

Imperial College London

85.1%
88.9%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£32,500
£54,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
52.9%

International

International student share

361
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
90

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%

Subjects

22 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Birkbeck, University of London

Imperial College London

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Healthcare Science, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Imperial College London

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
Imperial College London
£24,600

Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Imperial College London
£39,900

Birkbeck, University of London is about £19,050 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Birkbeck, University of London

Imperial College London

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£64,000
    72%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£53,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Biology

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Healthcare Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Imperial College London: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Imperial College London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £19,050 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Birkbeck, University of London and Imperial College London?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science and 10 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Imperial College London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £64,000 from Imperial College London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 72% at Birkbeck, University of London and 97% at Imperial College London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Imperial College London offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Imperial College London?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 47 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, History, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Accounting, Psychology (General) and 39 more.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

Imperial College London teaches 20 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses